Chapter 148: 147 The Director's Past

"Do not misunderstand, that goat is not weak."

After the initial alcohol haze faded, the Red-haired Director regained some of her usual "wise and majestic" demeanor. Even with her eyes closed, curled up in Li Ang's embrace, she guessed his thoughts and explained softly:

"At its peak, it truly deserved the title of the strongest great demon beneath the True Gods. But it was too greedy; unlike other demons that focus on one or two concepts, it chose seven supreme sins at once, hoping to leap directly into the top-tier Demon Gods.

Although its talent was outstanding enough to actually touch the concepts of seven sin levels simultaneously, its rank ultimately fell short. It lacked the capacity to control seven sins at once, causing its strength in any single ability to be spread extremely thin.

Abilities of anomalies of the same level mostly specialize in one, or one primary and one secondary. Its seven concept strengths were almost identical. It is normal that its upper limit cannot compare to theirs. Or rather, with abilities scattered like this, it still barely squeezing into the top hundred numbers is already a testament to its extraordinary talent."

So that was how it was...

After recalling the situation of Heishanyang, a look of realization flashed in Li Ang's eyes, but he quickly shook his head.

"Even so, it's still in the top hundred. The higher the rank, the greater the difficulty. You hold number 004 and number 013. Even if I gather all the sheep offal... uh... gather all the parts of Heishanyang, I am still far from comparable."

Hearing Li Ang's words, the Red-haired Director opened her eyes and glanced back at him.

Yes, an anomaly that can only squeeze into the top hundred numbers is indeed incomparable to number 004 【Twelve Ant Nests】 and number 013 【Slaughter Blood Hair】. But if it were anyone else, would they think to compare with me immediately?

"It is not necessarily inferior."

Not exposing the "ambition" Li Ang had inadvertently revealed, she curled deeper into the warm embrace behind her. The Red-haired Director closed her eyes again and narrated in a calm tone:

"Anomaly numbers can change. That number 013 anomaly originally had the number 116. After some events occurred once it fell into my hands, it became anomaly number 013."

116 to 013? The improvement is actually this huge!

Hearing the Red-haired Director's words, Li Ang couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, asking with eyes full of curiosity:

"It actually jumped over a hundred ranks... Director, what did you do?"

What did I do...

Hearing this, the Red-haired Director shook her head. She did not answer Li Ang's question. Instead, she turned slightly, reached her hand into Li Ang's collar, and untied the hair tied around his neck. Then, holding one end of that red hair, she gently tapped Li Ang's fingertip.

【Name: Slaughter Blood Hair-941026 (Slaughter, Crimson)】

【Appearance: A single bright red hair strand. If carefully kneaded with the soul, one will perceive a faint scent of blood, along with the curses and insults of an old man filled with venom.】

【Abilities: Slaughter Multiplication, Crimson Domain Formation】

【Cost: While your mind is clear, you will face endless abuse from those you kill.】

【File: After the Crimson Lord's descent failed, the previous Golden Bull Director gathered its remains and created this growth-type anomaly. For every human the holder kills, a new controllable blood-red hair is added.

Due to the harsh growth conditions, even after two holders and a total of one hundred and thirty years of cultivation, the number of Slaughter Blood Hair only just broke ten thousand. The effect shown was disproportionate to the precious materials consumed, and this anomaly was once considered a complete failure.

However, during the Serpent Eats Nation incident, the third holder of Slaughter Blood Hair, Olivia, was forced to use the anomaly "Thirteen Ant Nests." After completely destroying the Serpent Branch of the Cleanup Bureau and the Eastern Caraven Kingdom, the number of blood hairs surged overnight to one hundred and twenty-nine million and six hundred thousand. The total number was basically the same as the total population of the Eastern Caraven Kingdom before its destruction.】

【Evaluation: This is the most dangerous and terrifying anomaly you have seen so far. If the holder wishes, they can slaughter all living things in the entire capital city in just five seconds.】

【Contamination Value: Undetermined, increases with the number of activated blood hairs】?!!!

One hundred and twenty-nine million and six hundred thousand... people?!!!

"It seems you already know the answer."

Feeling Li Ang's body suddenly stiffen and his arms unconsciously loosen, the Red-haired Director sighed softly. She then gently pushed Li Ang's arm away, left the long-lost warm embrace behind her, sat up from the sofa, and said calmly:

"Do you want to leave the *** Bureau?"

Gazing at Li Ang's eyes, which were shocked beyond measure, the Red-haired Director, whose cheeks still bore a slight flush of alcohol, proposed softly:

"If you want to change your workplace, the Director of the Lion Branch, Beverly, is quite familiar with me and is very interested in your abilities. I can recommend you there. The treatment is guaranteed to be the same as here.

Aside from being overly fond of snacks, she has no outrageous past. She is an unqualified good person. You should be able to live... over there..."

"Director."

Interrupting the Red-haired Director's words, Li Ang asked hesitantly:

"Thirteen Ant Nests... is that the anomaly numbered 004? What is the relationship between the Eastern Caraven Kingdom and the Northern Caraven Kingdom? What exactly happened with the Serpent Eats Nation?"

"As for these..."

After staring at Li Ang for a moment, the Red-haired Director's lips moved. She then turned her head slightly and explained in turn:

"Thirteen Ant Nests... After the Eastern Caraven Kingdom disappeared, it should now be called 【Twelve Ant Nests】, corresponding to the twelve remaining kingdoms. You should be able to guess its ability without me saying it.

As for the Eastern Caraven Kingdom... The current Caraven Kingdom was previously called the Western Caraven Kingdom. Across the river from it lies the ruins of the original Eastern Caraven Kingdom.

And Serpent Eats Nation refers to a rebellion launched by the Serpent Branch of the Eastern Caraven Kingdom. The Director of the Serpent Branch attempted to sacrifice the entire Eastern Caraven Kingdom to ascend to godhood and turn half the world into his divine kingdom.

Unable to accept this result, the Twelve Directors held nine rounds of voting. Finally, four abstained and eight passed, deciding to use 【Thirteen Ant Nests】 to destroy the Eastern Caraven Kingdom first, forcibly thwarting his plan. I was the executor responsible for carrying out the action.

Since then, Thirteen Ant Nests became Twelve Ant Nests, which I have guarded until now. The number of Cleanup Bureau branches changed from the original 88 to the current 87. Internal investigations and control have also become increasingly strict. Any behavior slightly crossing the line will be severely punished..."

So that is how it is...

After listening to the Red-haired Director's words, Li Ang finally sorted out the general context. He then said with a rather complex expression:

"So those people upstairs cursing you... were back then..."

"Just as you think..."

After responding vaguely, the Red-haired Director averted her gaze. Her eyes then dimmed slightly as she said:

"The original people of the *** Bureau also left after that time. This cannot be blamed on them. After all, right above their heads was over one hundred million... um... Li Ang, if you want to leave because you cannot accept this, it is the same. I can understand your feelings."

"..."

Getting up and sitting on the large sofa, facing the Red-haired Director in silence for a while, Li Ang did not say whether he wanted to leave. Instead, he asked softly:

"Director, may I ask you a question?"

Hearing Li Ang's words, a look of surprise flashed in the Red-haired Director's eyes, but she nodded anyway:

"Ask."

"Suppose there is a train about to pass a junction..."

After recalling slightly, Li Ang spoke:

"Twelve people are tied to the track in front of the train, and one person is tied to the other track. You are holding the lever that changes the tracks. Would you pull the lever to make the train switch to the other track, saving the twelve people in front?"

"I..."

Unconsciously clenching his fist, the Red-haired Woman

did not answer immediately, but bit her lip and asked in return:

"Are you talking about me? But these two situations are different…"

"So will you pull the lever to make it crash into someone who wouldn't have died, or do nothing and let the train keep going to hit the twelve people?"

Hearing Li Ang pressed.

"I… I don't know."

"Of course you don't know."

Hearing Li Ang nodded gently and said:

"Because you're not that person—the board members voting are that person. You're just the lever being held."

"…"

"Thanks for your comfort…"

Seeing that Hearing Li Ang seemed ready to console her, the Red-haired Woman forced a smile, then her gaze dimmed as she said:

"But these two things are truly different. I'm not just a puppet obeying orders—I had the power to refuse to pull the 'lever,' yet in the end I didn't refuse. Instead, I did it myself…"

"If you had refused, you'd have been a passerby carrying a plunger. Someone else would have picked up a new lever, taken your place, and sent the train down the track with only one person tied to it."

"…"

"Director, sometimes people really shouldn't think too highly of themselves."

"…"

After waiting a while, seeing the Red-haired Woman still tightly pressing her lips, silent as ever, Hearing Li Ang shook his head and said:

"I won't say your choice was right, or that those sacrificed would've died anyway, so better they died in your hands saving others, or that you did what you should've done.

After all, if I were a citizen of East Carlevan Kingdom, I'd be upstairs cursing you bitterly—more harshly than anyone else—and dragging the entire Cleanup Bureau into it, wishing you'd all get crushed by a carriage tomorrow, run over seven or eight times right where you fell.

But now, since I'm one of the twelve tied to the original track, truly saved by your choice, I have no right to curse you. Even those former colleagues who left the Bureau can choose to walk away from you, but they have no right to condemn you."

"You really are… I've had people try to comfort me before, but no one's ever spoken like you…"

Shaking his head with a strange expression, the Red-haired Woman looked at Hearing Li Ang—though his strength was extremely weak, his inner resolve seemed stronger than hers—and asked him in return:

"What about you? What would you do? Let the train keep going and hit the twelve people tied to the rails?"

"I'd first find the person who tied them up, then shove his head into the train's boiler."

"You're really… how can you cheat like that?"

"I'm not cheating. That's exactly what I'd do."

Hearing Li Ang shook his head, meeting her slightly indignant gaze with serious expression:

"Director, I'm a person with little sense of security. To be honest, ever since I learned the truth of this world, I've craved power—desperately, desperately craved it!

And the main reason I pursue power is so that when problems like this arise, I can kill the bastard who tied them up outright, without having to make these impossible choices with no correct answer."

"Then… if you've done everything you could, but still face this kind of problem?"

"Then…"

Hearing Li Ang hesitated slightly, then pulled something from his chest and showed it to the Red-haired Woman.

"If I see my family tied on one side, I'll just flip the train to the other side, then calmly endure the curses of over a hundred million people, and drink like you do every day—so I won't feel the pain of being cursed when I'm sober."

"…"

Seeing the small, glittering bottle in Hearing Li Ang's hand, the Red-haired Woman shook her head helplessly, half-amused and half-exasperated:

"That's just like me. You're really…"

"It's the same, true enough."

Unscrewing the cap and taking a sip, Hearing Li Ang smiled helplessly:

"If you've done everything you can and still can't solve the problem, what else can you do? Escaping may be shameful, but it works, doesn't it?"

"Since I've already done my best, but still can't solve the problem, what else can I do? Running away may be shameful, but it's useful, isn't it?"

Watching the glittering little bottle in Hearing Li Ang's hand, the Red-haired Woman's eyes softened slightly, and she laughed along with him—her smile still tinged with wine-red, like a rhododendron blooming in a garden.

The curses still screamed fiercely in her ears; the weight on her heart remained as heavy as storm clouds, the deep guilt still sharp and cold, stabbing like a blade into flesh, not one bit lessened.

But for some reason, she suddenly wasn't so afraid anymore. If she had to find a reason, perhaps it was because someone not only respected her choice, but even accepted her weakness and escape.

But for some reason, the fear in his heart suddenly wasn't so strong anymore. If he had to find a reason, it was probably because someone had not only respected his choice, but had even accepted his weakness and his running away along with it.

She reached out, snatched the small bottle from Hearing Li Ang's hand, tilted her long neck, and drained it in one gulp. Then she licked the faintly spicy liquor on her lips, tossed the empty bottle aside, and, emboldened by the alcohol, declared with bold cheer:

"Good! I just borrowed money from Emma today! Come on! I'll treat you to drinks—expensive ones!"

"Perfect timing — I just borrowed money from Emma earlier today! Let's go! My treat for drinks! The most expensive ones!"

***The people in this branch are… utterly disgraceful!

After knocking for a long time with no response, the two investigators saw through the Director's office window the mountain of empty bottles on the floor and a man and woman curled up together under a blanket, snoring loudly. They shook their heads simultaneously, pulled out investigation forms, wrote a few lines, then casually marked two large red crosses.

Director leads in drunkenness! All-night debauchery! Suspected illicit relations within the Bureau! Setting aside the Lyne Blood Night incident, the atmosphere and performance rating must be drastically downgraded!

The Bureau Chief leads the way in heavy drinking! Indulging all night long! Suspected of running around with men and women in the Bureau! Setting aside the matter of Ryan's Bloody Night for now, on the basis of conduct and operational ratings, he must be severely downgraded!